shining sumac Anacardiaceae Rhus copallinum L. symbol: RHCO Leaf: Alternate, pinnately compound, up to 12 inches long, 7 to 15 leaflets per leaf; leaflets are lance-shaped, with entire margins, rachis has prominent wings between the leaflets, shiny, dark green above, paler and a bit fuzzy below. Flower: Species is monoecious; greenish-yellow and small, borne on 3 to 5 inch wide, terminal pyramid-shaped panicles in mid to late summer. Fruit: A dark red, round drupe borne on terminal cluster, 1/8 inch long, covered with short, sticky, red hairs; matures in fall but present through winter. Twig: Medium-textured, speckled with lenticels, and covered with fine, velvety, reddish brown hair; buds are small, rounded and hairy, leaf scars horseshoe-shaped. Bark: Light brown or gray, smooth with numerous lenticels when young, later with large, thin scales. Form: A small tree or large shrub up to 25 feet with a short trunk and spreading branches. Looks like: prairie sumac - smooth sumac - staghorn sumac - poison sumac Additional Range Information: Rhus copallinum is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting shining sumac. More: Fall Color External Links: USDAFS Additional Silvics USDA Plants Database Horticulture © Copyright 2014, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson